Government asks Canberra to approve croc safari proposal

NICK CALACOURAS

August 31st, 2009

THE Territory Government has asked Canberra to sign off on plans to set up a tourist safari to hunt 50 crocodiles each year.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has also been asked to approve increasing the number of live eggs taken from the wild for harvest from 25,000 to 50,000.

The Territory's crocodile management plan was approved by Cabinet last week and has been put on Mr Garrett's desk for approval.

But the crocodile safety strategy - which is believed to include a 50km croc-free zone surrounding Darwin - has not been completed and will be released within three weeks.

The two strategies were separated because only the management plan required Commonwealth approval.

Gallery: Crocodiles in the Territory

Hunters from the United States are believed to be willing to pay more than $6700 for the chance to kill a crocodile, but Canberra needs to lift the ban preventing them from taking their trophies home.

Mr Garrett last month said he would make his decision after seeing the final copy of the plan.

"It is absolutely critical that we consider carefully what decisions we make," he said.

"Once we get that plan, then we will be in a position to make decisions."

Former NT Environment Minister Alison Anderson released the draft report in April, which flagged an intention to offer controlled game hunting of 25 salties a year.

The safaris were hoped to bring economic opportunities to indigenous people in remote areas.

But this proposal was slammed by animal welfare activists, who said the plan was barbaric.

Conservationist Bob Irwin - father of the late Steve Irwin who also opposed croc safaris - said the plan "takes us back to the dark ages".